Hopper construction



Dec. 12, 1939 H. GARLINGHQUSE HOPPER CONSTRUCT I ON Filed March 4, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. L.H.Gc1r'|inqhouse ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1939- H. GARLINGHOUSE 2,182,893

HOPPER CONSTRUCTION Fil ed March 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. L.H.Gar|inqhouse 47 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

In the use of transit or truck concrete mixers wherein concrete ready for use is transferred to the job the trucks are usually built in large sizes and on many jobs it is impractical for the con- 5 tractor to handle all of the concrete from the truck mixer and carry it to the forms in wheelbarrows or carts in a reasonable length of time. This results in a delay in unloading the truck so that the latter may return to its base for additional concrete.

To overcome this difficulty it has frequently been the practice to build a ramp upon which the truck is backed and then the load is dumped into a hopper. This is necessary as the hopper must have a discharge opening a sufiicient distance above the ground to allow a wheelbarrow to be loaded from the discharge opening. Another plan has been to equip each truck with a hydraulic hoist which would elevate the mixer high enough to discharge into the hopper. These expedients are both expensive and in some cases impractical.

The general object of my present invention is therefore to overcome the difficulties mentioned above by providing a hopper which is so mounted that it rotates from a lowered position where it has the requisite low filling aperture to a position wherein the discharge opening is in the required elevated position.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a hopper including a frame in which the hopper body is pivoted and wherein the hopper is pivoted about an axis disposed at one side thereof and below the center of gravity and wherein I a filling opening is provided in the upper portion 5 of the hopper and wherein a discharge opening is provided in the lower portion of the hopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mounting for a hopper.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for shifting a pivotally mounted hopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel latching means for a pivoted hopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel raising and lowering means for a pivoted hopper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel adjustable supporting frame for a portable hopper.

" Other objects and the advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a hopper embodying the features of my invention;

frame 23 is lowered and the legs 25 and 26 thereof 1 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view showing the hopper ready to be transported;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the hopper in the discharge position;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the hopper; 5

Fig. 5 is an end view of the hopper in the position to be filled from a truck;

Fig. 6 is an. enlarged detail of one of the top sheave block mountings; i

Fig. 7 is a rearv View of the sheave block sho 10 in Fig. 6; v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing the latch mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the deviceshown in Fig. 8; p 15 Fig. 10 is a front view of a modified'form of my invention; and I i i Fig. 11 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated my improved batch hopper generally at I0. As shown the device 10 includes a metal supporting frame which is indicated generally at l2. The various portions of the frame are preferably made of structural steel members suitably welded together." r

The frame l2includes end portions l3 each of vwhich includes a front vertical leg M and a rear vertical leg [5. Adjacent the bottom the front legs M of the end portions are connected by a longitudinal member l6and at other places are connected by other longitudinal members ll. Adjacent thetops thereof the rear legs l5 of the end portions are connected by a longitudinal member l8. The front and rear legs I4 and I5 of each. of the end portions I3 are connected by lower transverse members l9, intermediate transverse members 20 and upper transverse members 2| which are inclined from the rear legs upwardly towards the front. 'At the front the inclined transverse members 2| are connected by a longitudinal member 2. i

Each end portion [3 includes a movable base frame which is indicated generally at 23. Each of the base frames 23 includes a base member 24 5 having a vertical front leg 25 thereon which fits over' one of the front legs l4 and-a vertical rear leg 26 thereon which fits over one' ofth'e rear legs l5.

When the device In is in transit as shown in 5 Fig. 1 the base frames 23 are raised and the legs 25 and 26 thereof are secured to the legs l4 and I5 as by bolts 21. When the device lllis in an operative position as shown in-Fig. 3 the base are secured to the legs I4 and I5 by a plurality of bolts 28.

Within the frame I2 I provide a hopper member indicated generally at 30. As shown the hop per 30 includes end walls 3I, a front wall 32 and a rear wall 33. Above a predetermined location the front wall inclines upward and rearwardly as at 34 and the rear wall inclines upwardly and forwardly as at 35 and joins the wall 34. Similarly above a predetermined location the end walls 3I convergently incline upwardly as at 36. The inclined portion 35 has an inlet aperture 3! therein as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Below a predetermined location the front wall 32 inclines downwardly and rearwardly as at 38 and the rear wall inclines downwardly and forwardly as at 39 to form the bottom of the hopper which is divided into two conventional outlet chutes 46. Each of the chutes 46 is provided with a suitable type of discharge gate mechanism such as indicated at M.

On each of the end walls 3| of the hopper 39 I provide a vertical member 42 having a boss 43 thereon which is pivoted as at 44 to a bearing member 45 on the adjacent transverse member 2-9 of the frame I2. As shown the members 42 are secured to the rear portion of the hopper and the pivot 44 is positioned well below the center of the hopper, thus causing the hopper to tend to swing downwardly towards the front.

Mounted on each end 32 adjacent the front I provide a vertical member 46 having a shoe member 41 thereon which projects beyond the front wall 32. Pivotally mounted on each of the members 46 as at 4'! I provide a single pulley block 48 and thereabove pivotally mounted as at 49 on the longitudinal member 22 I provide a double pulley block 50.

Mounted on each of the front legs 25 of the base frame 23 I provide a single pulley block 5I and mounted on the transverse member I6 intermediate the length thereof I provide a double pulley block 52 (see Fig. 4) Each set of blocks 48, and 5I has a wire rope 53 suitably rove therethrough which are then rove through the block 52 and suitably connected to a hook 54 as indicated at 55 (see Fig. 5).

For retaining the hopper ID in a raised position I provide between each end of the hopper and the frame I2 a latch member 56 (see Fig. 9). Each of the latch members 56 is weldled to and .depends from a longitudinal shaft 57 which is supported in bearings 58 on the front legs I4.

Each of the latch members 56 includes an upwardly opening hook portion 59 and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined front edge 69. The hook portion 59 is adapted to receive a pin 6| on the hopper I6. At one end the shaft 51 projects beyond the end of the frame I2 and has a plate 62 welded thereto. Loosely mounted on the shaft 51 adjacent the plate 62 I provide an arm 63 the outer end of which has a weighted member 64 suspended therefrom by a rod 65. The plate 62 has a front lip 66 and a rear lip 6! thereon which project therefrom into the path of movement of the arm 63 and are each arranged at a predetermined angle at each side of the shaft.

Thus when the arm 63 engages the rear lip 66 of the plate 62, as shown in Fig. 3, it tends to swing the latch member 56 forwardly and when it engages the front lip 61 it tends to swing the latch member 56 rearwardly asshown in Fig. 5.

For transporting the device I9 I preferably employ a two wheeled trailer such as indicated at ID portions of the frame .II of which may be secured to the transverse members I9 of the ends I3 of the hopper by bolts I2 and nuts I3 as shown in Fig. 2. As previously stated when in transit the base frames are raised as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the weighted member 64 is wired as at I3 or is otherwise secured to the adjacent transverse member 20.

In operation after the device I9 has been properly set up in the desired location upon the arrival of a transit mix cement truck the truck backs up to the device It and the hook 54 is connected to a portion of the truck. At the same time the arm 63 is swung into engagement with the front lip 61 of the plate 62 as indicated by the broken line position in Fig. 9. Thereafter the truck moves ahead a slight distance thereby swinging the hopper 30 upward and the pins GI out of the hook portions 56 of their associated latch members 56. Whereupon the latch members 56 swing to the positions shown in Fig. 5.

Thereafter the truck backs towards the device ID and as it does the hopper 36 swings downward until the shoes 41 engage the ground as shown in Fig. 5. In this position the inclined wall having the filling aperture 3! therein is directed towards the truck.

The truck then discharges its load into the hopper 36. After the hopper 30 has been lowered the arm 63 is swung into engagement with the rear lip 66 of the plate 62 thereby swinging the latch member 56 forward. After the truck has discharged its load into the hopper the truck moves away from the device Ill thereby swinging the hopper upward. As the pins 6| pass the latches 56 the latches swing rearwardly and allow the pins to pass. After the pins are above the hook portions 59 of the latches the truck reverses and backs towards the device I!) whereupon the pins 6I enter the hooked portions 59 of the latches and support the hopper. The hook 54 is then removed from the truck and the truck proceeds to its base for another load. After the hopper 39 has been filled and raised to the position shown in Fig. 3 the contents thereof may be withdrawn and discharged into wheelbarrows or carts by zperating the hopper discharge gate mechanism In Figs. 10 and 11 I have indicated a modified form of my invention generally at I5. The device I5 is similar to the device In except for the means of raising and lowering the hopper and similar portions thereof are indicated by similarly primed reference numerals.

Upon the outside of each of the end portions I 3 I provide a cylinder I6. Adjacent the lower end each of the cylinders I6 is pivotally mounted as at I! to a bearing '13 on the transverse member I9. Each of the cylinders I5 has a piston I9 therein which includes a piston rod 69 the free end of which is pivotally secured as at 3| to a bracket 82 which in turn is welded to the vertical member M a predetermined distance above the pivot 44'.

Extending outward from one of the end portions I3 I provide brackets 83 which support a cylinder 84 which is of greater diameter than the cylinder '16. The cylinder 84 has a piston 85 therein which includes a piston rod 86 which extends out of the cylinder. On the under side thereof a portion of the piston rod 86 is provided with gear teeth 8! as shown in Fig. 11 which are engaged by a gear 86. The gear 88 is mounted on a shaft 89 journaled in a bearing 99 on a bracket 9| which is welded to the transverse members I9 and 20. Outward from the bracket the shaft -89 has an enlarged gear 92 thereon whichmeshes with a gear 93; The gear 93 is mounted-on a shaft 95 journaled in a bearing 95 on the bracket9I and outward from the gear 93 the shaft 94 has a hand wheel 96 thereon.

Opening into the rear end of the cylinder 84 I provide a conduit 9! which has one end of a flexible conduit 98 communicating therewith.

The opposite end of the flexible conduit communicates with the interior of the adjacent cylinder 19. Forward of the flexible conduit a reduced conduit 99 communicates with the conduit 97and extends to the other end of the device to a point adjacent the other cylinder I6 Where one end of a flexible conduit I09 connects it with the cylinder 16.

Intermediate the cylinder 84 and the flexible conduit 98 I provide a check valve IIlI interposed in the conduit 9?. This check valve IIlI allows free flow of fluid away from the cylinder 84 but restricts the flow of fluid towards the cylinder 84. Straddling the check valve I III I provide a shunt conduit I92 which communicates atboth ends with the conduit 97. Interposed in the shunt conduit I92 I provide a shut off valve I93.

Inoperation the cylinders 76,the cylinder 84 and the associated conduits are filled with fluid such as oil. Thereafter when it is desired to swing the hopper 39 upwardly the operator first closes the shut off valve I03 and then rotates the hand wheel 96 which through the medium of the gears 93, 92 and 89 forces the piston rod 86 and piston 99 towards the rear end of the cylinder 84. As the piston 85 is thus moved it forces fluid through the conduits 97 and 99 and through the flexible conduits 98 and I99 into the lower ends of the cylinders 16 thereby forcing the pistons 79 therein and the piston rods 89 upward thus swinging the hopper 30 upward about its pivots 44.

When it is desired to lower the hopper 30' the operator slowly opens the shut off valve I03 whereupon the weight of the hopper 30' forces the pistons I9 downward thereby forcing the fluid therefrom into the conduit 91, thence through the shunt conduit I92 around the check valve IilI and back into the conduit 91 and then into the cylinder 84 thereby forcing the piston 95 forward. When the hopper 30' is lowered to the desired position the operator again closes the shut off valve I93,

It will be understood that instead of operating the hoisting mechanism of the device III by a truck a manual or power driven winch may be used and likewise instead of manually operating the hydraulic hoist system of the device suitable mechanical power means may be employed.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel hopper device which is simple in construction and highly efficient in use.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a hopper, a frame member including end portions longitudinal front and rear members connecting said end portions, a hopper member pivotally mounted on said end portions on an axis disposed at the rear of and below the center of gravity of said hopper, said hopper including a top having a front wall and a rear wall, said rear top wall having a filling opening therein, said hopper including a bottom wall having a discharge opening and including means for controlling discharge therefrom, a shaft journaled in bearings mounted on said frame adjacent the front thereof, a latch member on said shaft adjacent each endof said frame, each of said latch members including an open topped hook portion, pins mounted on said hopper for engaging said hook portions, inclined cam faces below said hooks, said shaft beyond one end of said frame. having a plate member secured thereon, an arm, said arm being loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent said plate, a weighted member suspended from said arm, said plate having a pair of spaced lips thereon protruding into the path of movement of said arm, said lips being so positioned that when said arm engages one of said lips said plate rotates said shaft in one direction and when said arm en-, gages the other of said lips said plate rotates said shaft in the opposite direction.

2. In a hopper, a frame member, said frame member including end portions, longitudinal front members and rear members connecting said end portions, a hopper member pivotally mounted on said end portions on an axis disposed at the rear and below the center of gravity of said hopper, said hopper including ends which are convergently and upwardly inclined, said ends having a front wall and a rear wall to form a top, said rear top wall having a filler opening ,therein, said hopper including convergently,

downwardly, inclined bottom walls, said bottom wallsincluding a plurality of discharge chutes, each chute including means for controlling passage therefrom, a vertical member on each end of said hopper adjacent the front thereof, a sheave block pivotally mounted'on each of said vertical members, a sheave block mounted on one of said longitudinal front members above each of said hopper sheave blocks, lower sheave blocks mounted on the front of said frame adjacent each end and a center sheave block mounted on the front of said frame, a cable member rove through each of said hopper blocks, said upper blocks and said lower blocks and each cable rove through said center block in such a manner that said hopper may be lowered or raised by means of said cable.

3. In a hopper, a frame member including end portions, longitudinal front and rear members connecting saidend portions, each of said end portions including a front and rear vertical leg, a base frame associated with each of said end frame portions, each of said base frames including a front and rear vertical leg connected by a transverse base member, said front and rear'legs of said base frame engaging said front and rear legs of said end portions and secured thereto, said base frame legs being adapted to be raised and secured to said legs of said end portions, a hopper member pivotally mounted on said end portions on an axis disposed at the rear of and below the center of gravity of said hopper, said hopper including a top having convergently upwardly inclined ends and a front wall and a rear wall, said rear top wall having a filler opening therein, said hopper including a convergently downwardly inclined bottom wall, said bottom wall including a plurality of discharge chutes each chute including means for controlling discharge therefrom, a vertical member on each end of said hopper adjacent the front thereof, a sheave block pivotally mounted on each of said vertical members, a sheave block mounted on one of said longitudinal front members above each of said hopper sheave blocks, lower sheave blocks mounted on the front of said frame adjacent each end and a a center block mounted on the front of said frame, a cable member rove through each of said hopper blocks, said upper blocks and said lower blocks and each cable rove through said center block in such a manner that said hopper may be lowered or raised by means of said cable.

4. In a hopper, a frame member, said frame member including end portions, longitudinal front members and rear members connecting said end portions, a hopper member pivotally mounted on said end portions, said hopper including ends, a front wall and a rear wall forming a top, said rear top wall having a filler opening therein, said hopper including downwardly inclined bottom walls, said bottom Walls including a discharge chute, a vertical member on each end of said hopper, a sheave block pivotally mounted on each of said vertical members, a sheave block mounted on one of said longitudinal front members above each of said hopper sheave blocks, lower sheave blocks mounted on the front of said frame adjacent each end and a center sheave block mounted on the front of said frame, a cable member rove through each of said hopper blocks, said upper blocks and said lower blocks and each cable being rove through said center block in such manner that said hopper may be lowered or raised by means of said cable.

5. In a hopper, a frame member including end portions, longitudinal front and rear members connecting said end portions, a hopper member pivotally mounted on said end portions, said hopper including a top having a filling opening therein, said hopper including a bottom wall having a discharge opening and including means for controlling discharge therefrom, a shaft journaled in bearings mounted on said frame, a latch member on said shaft adjacent each end of said frame, each of said latch members including an open topped hook portion, pins mounted on said hopper for engaging said hook portions, inclined cam faces below said hooks, said shaft beyond one end of said frame andhaving a plate member secured thereon, an arm, said arm being loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent said plate, said plate having a pair of spaced lips thereon protruding into the path of movement of said arm, said lips being so positioned that when said arm engages one of said lips said plate rotates said shaft in one direction and when said arm engages the other of said lips said plate rotates said shaft in the opposite direction.

LESLIE H. GARLINGHQUSE. 

